Studio chiefs are desperate to ensure a 24th Bond movie hits cinemas “within the next three years”.

Craig has already been signed up for at least two more films.

Studio chiefs at MGM are developing the screenplay and are also close to signing a new director to replace Sam Mendes, 47.

He recently confirmed he will not direct the next Bond film “because of his busy schedule”. MGM chief executive Gary Barber told investors: “We look forward to developing the script soon and signing a director. We are hoping within the next three years it will be released.”

According to Hollywood insiders, Skyfall screenwriter John Logan, 51, has agreed to work on the next two Bond scripts.

It has also been reported that Adele, 24, is being courted by Bond producers to write the theme song after her Oscar-winning tune for Skyfall.

A three-year wait for a new 007 movie is not the biggest gap between ­releases. After 1989’s ­Licence To Kill, audiences had to wait six years for GoldenEye.